Sydney Carton is a man of great potential, skill, and education who has given up on lafe and therefore chooses not to use them. He is first introduced in the court as Mr Stryver's assistant in the case, and his careless attitude is immediately apparent. He does not seem to pay attention to anything going on around him; he "was looking at the ceiling," (Dickens 50). Despite being rather removed, his observation enables Stryver to twin the case and save Mr Darnay. This situation parallel his entire attitude on life: capable but unmotivated. He feels that he fails life, as he sees "a mirage of honorable ambition, self-denial, and perseverance," (Dickens 65). He knows these qualities are in him, but he cannot reach them, and gives up trying. He weeks for himself and what could have been, his pillow "wet with wasted tears," (Dickens 68). Only two things in life seem to earn his attention: Lucie Manette and alcohol. While spaced-out in the court, he comes to alert attention when Lucie falls and calls for help. He "takes in more of the details of the scene than he appeared to," (Dickens 57). Carton has an affection for Lucie, motivating him to help her; however, he denies himself the motivation to pursue her love like he denies himself many other motivations, denying her beauty when Mr Stryver brings her up to him, "She's pretty!?" (Dickens 68). Carton noticed her in the court because of her beauty , but denies himself the motivation to pursue, or even acknowledge it. He finds refuge from his depression only in alcohol, which he uses to forget his sorrows and failure, "the greatest desire I have, is to forget that I belong to it [the world]," (Dickens 62). Dickens sums up Carton's character as a "jackal" with great potential but also enormous self-pity.
